Payment Methods Available on eBay

Several payment options are available, but eBay only allows sellers to show electronic payment methods. The seller is not required to accept any other form of payment but PayPal or one of the other electronic payment options (PayPal, ProPay, Skrill, or a merchant account). These are the forms of payment available to you:

Credit card: Paying with a credit card is a favorite payment option for many buyers, offered mainly by businesses and dealers. In addition, using a credit card offers you another ally — your credit card company — if you’re not completely satisfied with the transaction. Credit cards can also be used for payment through the other electronic payment options a seller may offer.

PayPal: Owned by eBay, PayPal is the largest Internet-wide payment network. All sellers on eBay should accept PayPal and accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover as well as electronic checks and debits. The service is integrated directly into eBay transactions, so paying for your item is a mouse click away.

After you register with PayPal to pay for an item, PayPal debits your credit card or your bank checking account (or your PayPal account — if you have earned some money from sales) and sends the payment to the seller’s account. PayPal does not charge buyers to use the service.

Buyers can use PayPal to pay any seller within the United States (and around the world in over 55 countries). Some international bidders can pay for their eBay items from sellers in the United States.

PayPal deposits the money directly into the seller’s PayPal account, from which the seller can withdraw to their own bank account. The service charges the seller a small transaction fee, so the seller absorbs the cost.

Your credit card information is known only to the PayPal service. The seller never sees your credit card info. Another major advantage is that you have protection behind you when you use PayPal. And you have the right to dispute charges if the item arrives damaged or doesn’t show up at all.

PayPal’s Bill Me Later: If you find that your credit card limit is about to hit, and you really want an item, Bill Me Later could be your answer. PayPal’s Bill Me Later is like using an online credit card; just select Bill Me Later as your payment choice when you check out on eBay.

Keep in mind you’re opening a credit account, so they will need some personal information to approve your using their service.

Approval takes only seconds and after your account is set up, you’ll see Bill Me Later as a payment option when you check out through PayPal. Clicking Bill Me Later brings up a window asking for your birth date and the last four digits of your Social Security number. After you accept the terms, approval takes just seconds; Bill Me Later is then added to your PayPal account.

Pay On Pickup: Sometimes you may buy an item from someone in your neighborhood and may be able to arrange a direct pickup, instead of waiting for an item to be shipped. You’re on your own with this type of transaction — but at least you get to meet the person you are transacting business with.

Most business on eBay is conducted in U.S. dollars. If you happen to buy an item from an international seller, you may need to convert American dollars into another currency. eBay has a currency converter.